SCOTCOUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

Scotland's Country Music radio station, 3C has closed. The station, which was heard on DAB Digital Radio and Freeview platforms stopped broadcasting suddenly at 4pm yesterday.
The station, which was based at Radio Clyde's Glasgow studio's was launched in June 2000, and was headed up by American Pat Geary.
The station's website simply states that "3C is is no longer on air. It has been a pleasure serving you, please check out www.voiceofcountry.com for further details."
The Voice of Country website looks like the early stages of a new Nashville based internet station.

A new Alison Krauss collection is released in the UK next week. "A Hundred Miles Or More", features 5 new tracks, alongside recent tracks which Alison has contributed to other artists or soundtracks, like "Whiskey Lullaby" with Brad Paisley, The Louvin's "How's The World Treating You" with James Taylor, and "Down To The River To Pray" from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou".

It's the album of the year so far - the collaboration of Willie Nelson,Merle Haggard and Ray Price, with a 2CD ,22 track collection of pure traditional Country music. The Last Of The Breed is released here on the Lost Highway label.

Bill Black is one of the casualties in the rebranding of Saga Radio as Smooth. The station, now owned by GMG, who also run Real Radio and Rock Radio, officially changed to Smooth Radio this week. Bill's Saturday night & Sunday afternoon programmes have disappeared alongside fellow presenters Angus Simpson,Duncan Cameron,Glen Micheal and Hazel Fowlie. Country fans are still catered for with Nick Barraclough's Smooth Country on Sunday's 5-8pm, which is also replacing the local Country programmes on the former Saga stations in the English midlands. Nick, it would appear, is continuing his weekly Wednesday night Radio 2 programme too.
Meanwhile, Glasgow's latest community station, Sunny Govan FM launches this week on 103.5FM, with an hour of Country on Tuesday night's 8-9pm. The station, currently testing, reaches the Cumbernauld area.

Curb Records released the new Tim McGraw album "Let It Go" in Britain today. The album features his latest single here, and a new duet with wife Faith Hill.
Next Monday, Martina McBride's new album, Waking Up Laughing" is released here. The album sees Martina as Producer, writer & artist. A bit poppy in places, it's nevertheless a good album from the former CMA Female Vocalist of The Year.
Then on Easter Monday, "Burnt Toast & Offerings", the new CD from Nashville singer songwriter Gretchen Peters is released here.

The San Quentin kick off April with a visit from Roll The Dice on the 6th, at their regular venue of Polmont Golf Club in Maddison. The following evening , the Prairie Star, at Weirs Social Club in Alloa have a visit from Nebraska.
Later in the month, No Angels bring Gemma Fairweather to Bo'ness Town Hall on the 13th & The Polmont Linedancers meet at Polmont Golf Club on the 20th with local favourites Jolene & Barry.

Pip Hodge has announced the cancellation of his Buffalo Mountain Easter festival at Ingliston
Pip cited various reasons for the decision to end the event, which would've been the 11th Annual event, including problems with theHhighland Showground organisers, and slow ticket sales.
He also says that, what was once an enjoyable challange is now a chore, and is affecting his health and paid employment.
I'm sure Pip will continue to hold regular events, and we'll see him around.
In the meantime, fans need not be idle this easter weekend, with the 4th Northern Nashville Festival still going ahead in Halkirk, Caithness with a line up featuring Hank Williams daughter Jett, Elvis soundalkie Travis LeDoyt, husband & wife duo, The Woody's, plus acts from Ireland, England, Belgium and Scotland.

John Hinshelwood band offshoot The City Sinners are appearing at a charity concert for Malawi on Saturday 31st March at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket. Other acts appearing include Karine Polwart, Norma Munro, Moyenda, John Beattie All Stars and The Frank O'Hagan Band.

Thankfully it's not too often these days that bands fail to turn up at local clubs. For a while, it was looking that way on Friday night at The San Quentin. Red Canyon were on the bill, but, apparently, they had the booking in the diary for next week.
A rush through from the west, and Ol'Red himself Nicky appeared to play solo. We've heard a rumour that there is no Red Canyon band at present. The rights & wrongs of confirming bookings aside, the crowd, many Red Canyon fans included, weren't happy. They couldn't dance to a solo act, and decided to talk amongst themselves instead. I found this lack of respect for the artist shameful.
I personally enjoyed the set better as a solo. It would've been ideal in a quiet room setting,but the crowd disorder spoiled the night for me.
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Garth Brooks was in Belfast last week, and wants to return to play in the city again.
The Oklahoman superstar was in Northern Ireland to attend the funeral of Jim Aiken, the entertainment promoter who has brought many legends to the province. Aiken died,age 75, and was well respected throughout the world with his obituary appearing on the worldwide newswires UPI & PA.
Several weeks ago, Mr Aiken visited Garth in Nashville to present him with plans for a return to Ireland. What Aiken had in mind was to present the country star at Stormont in a revival of the open air concerts which he launched in the summer of 1998, when Elton John rocked the manicured lawns.
Right up until the time of his death, Jim dreamed of getting Stormont working again as a concert venue.
Now Garth is more determined than ever to put on a show in Belfast, not necessarily at Stormont. He has made it clear that any venue will do, as long as he gets the opportunity to pay his respects to his friend through his music.